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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A West Texas lawmaker says too many high school football teams reach the state playoffs and has introduced a bill that would reduce the number of qualifiers.
Republican Sen. Charles Perry of Lubbock says the University Interscholastic League's playoff system has become "watered down" and allows up to 74 percent of teams to make the playoffs. The bill he filed Thursday looks to reduce the number of schools advancing from each district from four to two.
The bill was filed a few weeks after Houston Scarborough became what's believed to be the first winless team in the Texas football playoffs. Scarborough lost 64-0 in the first round and finished 0-11.
Perry says the current playoff format costs districts "thousands of dollars that could be spent in the classroom."
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